Effect of Social Isolation During Adolescence on Oxycodone Self-Administration in Rats

Authors: Skylee Eiffert, Hetvi Trivedi, Gavin Vaughan, Anushree Karkhanis

Field of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math

Program Affiliation: Karkhanis Lab

Faculty Mentors: Anushree Karkhanis

Easel: 12

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Recent studies have demonstrated increases in opioid use disorder (OUD) following the social distancing order during COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, surveys have shown faster development of opioid use disorder (OUD) in females compared to males. This project uses a model of adolescent social isolation to assess the effects of social isolation during the developmentally critical period, adolescence, on oxycodone consumption. After a six-week housing manipulation in which rats were either housed in groups (aGH; 4 rats/cage) or isolation (aSI; 1 rat/cage) throughout adolescence (post-natal day 25-65), aGH and aSI rats were given two-hour access to oxycodone. As predicted, aSI rats exhibited greater oxycodone consumption compared to aGH rats. Interestingly, female rats consumed more oxycodone than male rats. Furthermore, both male and female rats preferred oxycodone over saline, highlighting its rewarding value. These data suggest that the sex differences in OUD in humans may be driven by stress-interactions with oxycodone.